CHS was state’s first new, consolidated rural high school
Staff writer
When Centre High School was built 50 years ago, it was quite a hit among educators. The high school was the first in the state of Kansas to bring together a group of smalltown high schools in a new, up-to-date facility.
The American Association of School Administrators presented a “planning” award to those who designed the building. Pictures of the facility were exhibited at association meetings in St. Louis, Mo., Cleveland, Ohio, and San Francisco, Calif. The pictures also were included in a 1958 filmstrip created by the association.
A report in the Feb. 20, 1958, issue of the Marion Record-Review states: “A unique feature, said to be the first in Kansas schools, will be a year-round controlled temperature for the offices.” This was accomplished with the use of an electrical heat pump.
The modern, 44,000-square-foot building was constructed for about $500,000. It included a well-equipped science room, chemistry/science lab, music and shop rooms, library/study hall, commons area, and cafeteria. The main building was connected by a canopied walkway to a shop building with classrooms and workshops.
At least 150 students from Burdick, Lost Springs, Lincolnville, and Ramona enrolled the first year, and were served by 10 full-time and several part-time teachers.
History
The seeds for the new high school were planted in 1956, when board members of the several schools began to talk about combining services.
They organized Joint Rural High School District #11, which operated in two existing school buildings until new facilities could be built. District 11 North was at Lost Springs and included Ramona and Burdick students. District 11 South was at Lincolnville and included Antelope students.
Officers were: Albert Riffel Sr., Lincolnville, clerk; George Merilatt, Lost Springs, director; and Keith Nelson, Burdick, treasurer.
In December 1956, a public meeting was held at Lost Springs regarding construction of a new high school.
In a bond issue election later that month, patrons overwhelmingly approved a $530,000 building fund by a vote of 384-142.
In February 1957, in a 349-223 vote, patrons approved a floor plan and the location of the new facility on 20 acres two miles north of Lincolnville along U.S.-56/77.
The site was the center of the school population, offered a good water supply, and provided easy access.
After 18 months of construction, which provided work for many area businesses and individuals, the facilities were almost complete and ready for use.
In June 1958, the board expanded to five members with the appointments of Henry Schubert and Warren Fike, both of Ramona.
Fike is the only member still remaining. He recalled that the transition to a consolidated school went smoothly. He said the board held long sessions that first summer, buying equipment and supplies for the new facility.
“Salesmen were lined up in the commons,” he said. “Sometimes our meetings lasted until 3 a.m.”
The school opened Sept. 8, 1958, as Rural High School District #11. Al Riffel resigned from the board to become custodian, a position he held until 1975. John Spachek replaced him on the board.
Charles Bell, former principal at Lost Springs, was appointed superintendent. Other personnel included Bill Krehbiel, head football coach, and Goldie Steely, vocal music instructor.
Board members and others in the community felt the school needed a simpler name, so they held a contest offering a prize of $15 for the winning entry.
In November 1958, a committee of three patrons from each of the four communities selected a name from among the entries received, and the school became known as Centre Rural High School.
Unified district formed
In 1965, the Centre educational community was reconstituted as Centre Unified School District #397. The seven board members were: Keith Nelson, chairman, Warren Fike, vice chairman, Bill Novak, Paul Meysing, Werner Mueller, Merle Albrecht, and Henry Schubert.
Pilsen School District #115 elected to join USD #397. (High school students from Pilsen dispersed to other schools in 1948.)
The Tampa community had resisted consolidation for seven years, but in the fall of 1965, Tampa high school students began attending Centre High School.
The six elementary schools remained in their respective towns but were under the jurisdiction of USD 397.
The board began discussing consolidation of elementary students during the first semester of the 1966-67 school year. According to school board minutes, the district still had seven principals and one superintendent during the 1967-68 session.
Further consolidation was a contentious issue, as each town sought to save its one remaining center of community life. Numerous proposals were presented and rejected.
In June 1968, the Lincolnville community (through board member Don Buethe) petitioned for eight grades at Lost Springs with a teacher for each grade and continuation of Tampa and Pilsen grade schools as long as possible. (Pilsen’s modern facility was built in 1957.)
That fall, the facility at Lost Springs became Centre Elementary School with students from Lincolnville, Ramona, Burdick, and Lost Springs communities, while Pilsen and Tampa maintained their own facilities.
The Tampa school closed in the spring of 1969, and students began attending school at Pilsen or Lost Springs.
When school opened that fall, the high school enrolled 182 students, Lost Springs 215, and Pilsen 86. Kenneth Carver was district superintendent, John Koepke high school principal, John Kleiber principal at Lost Springs, and Willis Herbel principal at Pilsen.
The carpentry class at Centre High School was authorized to build a multi-purpose facility near the football field. It included a concession stand, restrooms, and storage and workshop for outdoor equipment.
In 1971-72, a junior high program for seventh and eighth grade students was established at the high school site. Grades one through six continued at Lost Springs and Pilsen, with Kleiber as principal. Herbel became the high school shop and math teacher.
The Pilsen school building later housed fifth and sixth grade students, while all Kindergarten through fourth grade students went to Lost Springs. This arrangement lasted through the 1983-84 school year, after which the Pilsen school was closed and all K-6 students met at Lost Springs.
Enrollment remained high throughout the 60s and 70s, with the peak occurring in 1967-68, when 66 seniors graduated.
In 1977-78, enrollment for all grades stood at 463, after which the number of students rapidly declined. Ten years later, the district enrolled 303.
Expansions ensue
Despite declining enrollment, expansions in curriculum and education requirements led to the need for more facilities in the past 15 years.
In 1993, a new addition to the north side of the high school included a second gymnasium and library and classrooms for fifth and sixth grade students.
The latest expansion in 1998 included a new music room and special education facilities. The vocational agriculture department also was expanded to include another workshop, greenhouse, and more classrooms.
More recently, the former family and consumer science room was remodeled into a new science classroom and lab.
The latest computer technology has been incorporated into classrooms and is updated on a regular basis.
This year’s district head count is projected to be 240, including approximately 90 students in high school, 56 in 5-8, and 113 in PreK-6. At least 20 instructors serve the 7-12 grades, and 12 serve PreK-6.
Support personnel include a technology director, four para-educators, two classroom aides, four cooks, and seven bus drivers including transportation director.
Current members of the board of education are: Brent Methvin, president; Mark Heiser, vice president; Jesse Brunner, Terry Deines, Steve Jirak, Jennifer Kassebaum, and Julie Klenda.
More restructuring may be in the cards for the Centre school district. Enrollment continues to decline, and the board authorized a facilities committee which is studying the pros and cons of locating all grades at the high school site.
At its August meeting, the board approved a feasibility study to be conducted by Kent Stewart, a professor at Kansas State University, and Craig Elliott, a retired superintendent.
(Sources: Individuals, Marion Record-Review, 1956-1958; Marion County Past and Present, by Sondra Van Meter, 1972; Centre USD school board minutes.)